Down Under is upside down: just a moment ago, the Kiwis were the measure of all things in the 34th America's Cup match. But the balance of power has changed noticeably. As if Oracle's helmsman Jimmy Spithill had suspected it when he provoked with a retorical question at 0:6 on Saturday: "Imagine these guys losing from now on. What an upset that would be. They've almost got it in the bag." Psychological antics or knowledge of their own strength?
After the dramatic near-capsize of the Kiwis on Saturday and the resulting victory for Oracle Team USA, the defencemen continued their recent winning streak on Sunday, reducing their deficit to 1:6 after levelling the penalty in the run-up to the duel with the first positive point.
The course of race nine is quickly told: a confident start by Jimmy Spithill, who blocks the Emirates Team New Zealand in front of the line, but then breaks away surprisingly quickly and chases off. The New Zealanders cannot keep up fast enough and are left behind at the first turning mark. Only four seconds still separate the two boats. But with better speed downwind than in the first few days, a better nose for the favoured side of the course, a committed tactician on board, Ben Ainslie, much more effective tacking by the team and concentrated cover, the Americans dominate the challengers confidently to the finish.
Just when the whole world thought the Americans were the new benchmark after their modifications in a new crew constellation and with first-class manoeuvres, the Kiwis turned up the heat again. And how: The fabulous Barker boys don't look quite happy at the start against Jimmy Spithill, who once again attacks furiously, but with an unexpected and irresistible sprint they manage to keep the overlap to the slightly leading US boat up to the three-length circle of the all-important first buoy and are therefore allowed to round it ahead of the Americans. Commentator Gary Jobson jokes: "It's handy that the Kiwis haven't shortened their bowsprit like the Americans." The long bowsprit has now given them a wafer-thin advantage in the neck-and-neck race on the short reach course. Dean Barker said later: "We didn't exactly have a great start. But we managed to muscle our way through ..."
The entire tenth race runs in this style with several lead changes. The TV commentators are almost bursting with enthusiasm. The audience on land is screaming. Those watching at home have no more problems with fatigue. After all, it is the Kiwis who destroy the momentum the defenders have just built up and secure this race victory. The team led by Dean Barker and tactician Ray Davies are two points short of triumph. Two-time America's Cup winners Emirates Team New Zealand have it in their hands to win the ornate silver jug for the third time after 1995 and 2000. David drives Goliath into a corner. And Goliath is running out of time.
But after this Sunday thriller and the balanced muscle show, the defenders cannot yet be written off either. They made a potentially costly mistake in the tenth race during a crossing, did not keep up, but slowed down, passed the Kiwis at the rear and lost valuable ground as a result.
The New Zealanders go into the break with the psychological advantage of the last victory on this race day. However, both teams and the fans have learnt on this day: anything is possible.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
